Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a period from temporal storage of a video signal to reading and displaying of the video signal, an average value  121  of the brightness levels obtained from a video signal before the video signal is stored in a storage means  3  and a predetermined target value  122  are used to perform a calculation by using a proportionality term and an integration term so that a quantity of limited electric currents is obtained. Moreover, the quantity of limited electric currents is provided with a non-response region or a hysteresis characteristic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a display apparatus arranged tolimit an electric current therein, and more particularly to a displayapparatus, such as a CRT, a plasma display, an LED display and a fieldemission display, having a characteristic that power consumption varieswhen the brightness of a displayed image varies.

[0002] Self-emission type display apparatuses including CRT, a plasmadisplay, an LED display and a field emission display, generallyencounter vary in power consumption therein when the brightness of adisplayed image varies.

[0003] The reason for this lies in that the quantity of electriccurrents which flow in the display portion is enlarged because lightbeams must be emitted more intensely and the number of emission timesmust be enlarged when a bright image is displayed. When a dark image isdisplayed, the quantity of electric currents which flow in the displayportion is reduced because light beams must be weakened and the numberof emission times must decreased.

[0004] Under circumstances where saving of the energy resources isrequired in a global viewpoint, display apparatuses are required to havelarge-size screens and display apparatuses are attempted to be mountedon vehicles and portable telephones, power saving has been required forthe display apparatus. Power saving realizes advantages for users andattains effects to be obtained in that loads which must be borne by thedisplay portion and the power supply circuit of the display apparatuscan be reduced, the size of circuit can be reduced and low-cost elementscan be employed. In addition, the lifetime of the display apparatus canbe elongated.

[0005] Therefore, a method has recently been employed which uses acharacteristic which is apparent for a self-emission type displayapparatus and with which power consumption varies when the brightness ofa displayed image varies in order to save power.

[0006] Referring to the drawings, an example of the current limitingcircuit will now be described in such a manner that a conventionalcurrent limiting circuit employed in a plasma display is taken as anexample.

[0007]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an essential portion of thedisplay apparatus having the conventional current limiting circuit.Referring to FIG. 15, reference numeral 1 represents an A/D conversionmeans for video signals, 2 represents a video-signal processing means, 3represents a storage means, 4 represents a display sequence controlmeans, 5 represents a panel of the plasma display, 11 represents a means11 for generating the number of pulses to be retained, 12 and 31represent multiplying means, 32 represents a smoothing means and 33represents a pulse controlled-variable calculating means.

[0008] The operation will now be. described. The operation which isperformed until an image is displayed will now be described inaccordance with the flow of a video signal. The A/D conversion means 1A/D-converts an analog video signal 101 which is supplied to the plasmadisplay to output digital video data 102. The video signal is treated asdigital data in a portion following the A/D conversion means 1. Thevideo-signal processing means 2 subjects digital video data 102 outputfrom the A/D conversion means 1 to brightness, contrast, colortemperature correction and gamma conversion processes to output videosignal data 103 subjected to the video signal process. The storage means3 has two storage means, which are a first storage means 36 and a secondstorage means 37, as shown in FIG. 16. Each of the storage means is afield memory or a frame memory. When the display method of the panel isinterlace display, the storage means is able to store video signal fortwo fields. When the display method is progressive display, the storagemeans is able to store video signal for two frames. Selectors 38 and 39disposed in front and behind the storage means 36 and 37 are exclusivelyand independently operated. When the first selector 38 adjacent to theinput portion selects the first storage means 36, the second selector 39adjacent to the output portion selects the second storage means 37. Whenthe first selector 38 adjacent to the input portion selects the secondstorage means 37, the second selector 39 adjacent to the output portionselects the first storage means 36. If the first selector 38 adjacent tothe input portion selects the first storage means 36, the first storagemeans 36 is being operated in a write mode. Thus, video signal data 103supplied to the storage means is written on the first storage means 36.In the foregoing period, the second storage means 37 is operated in thereading mode so that sub-field data 104 having a predetermined number ofbits is read from the second storage means 37. When the storage means 3is interposed, video signal data 103 can be converted into a pluralityof sub-field data items 104 which are divided in terms of time.Therefore, the storage means 3 is an important element for the plasmadisplay which displays a gray-scale image by performing pulse-widthmodulation also when the interlace display is performed. The displaysequence control means 4 outputs, to the panel 5, sub-field data 104 ofthe image signal read from the storage means 3 as write data 105 forselecting cells in the panel 5 from which light is emitted. The panel 5operates writing electrodes and displays the image in accordance withwrite data 105.

[0009] The operation will now be described which is performed until thenumber of pulses to be retained for generating retaining discharge tocause the panel to emit light is determined, the description beingperformed along the flows of data of the number of pulses to beretained. A means 11 for generating the number of pulses to be retainedgenerates and outputs data 111 of the number of pulses to be retainedwhich corresponds to sub-fields. A multiplying means 12 multiplies data111 of the number of pulses to be retained output from the means 11 forgenerating the number of pulses to be retained and a controlled variable124 of the number of pulses (to be described later) for limiting theelectric current to output data 112 of the number of pulses to beretained after the electric current is limited. The display sequencecontrol means 4 generates pulse-shape data 113 for causing the panel toemit light by the number instructed with data 112 of the number ofpulses to be retained after the electric current is limited. The displaysequence control means 4 writes a display position on the panel withwrite data 105 corresponding to the sub-field, and then outputs, to thepanel 5, pulse-shape data 113 for causing the panel to emit light. Thepanel 5 applies pulse-shape waveform to an electrode after data iswritten on the panel so that only cells written with write data 105 emitlight in accordance with pulse-shape data 113 so that an image isdisplayed.

[0010] The operation for limiting the-electric current will now bedescribed. The multiplying means 31 multiplies sub-field data 104 of thevideo signal output from the storage means 3 and data 112 of the numberof pulses for retaining light emission which is output to the panel toperform an equivalent calculation of the quantity of light to be emittedfrom the panel in one sub-field period. Then, the multiplying means 31outputs pseudo quantity 131 of light to be emitted which is obtained bythe equivalent calculation. Sub-field data 104 of the video signalcorresponds to the number of cells which emit light, while data 112 ofthe number of pulses to be retained corresponds to the number of lightemitting operations of each cell. The smoothing means 32 subjects thepseudo quantity 131 of light to be emitted which varies in sub-fieldunits to a smoothing process to output a smoothed quantity 132 of lightto be emitted. The pulse controlled-variable calculating means 33 causesa deviation detection means 34 to obtain deviation 133 of the quantity132 of light to be emitted with respect to a target value 122 of thequantity of light to be emitted. The deviation 133 is linearly convertedinto a controlled variable 124 of the number of pulses by a linearconversion means 35 in such a manner that the quantity of light to beemitted is limited only when the quantity 132 of light to be emitted islarger than the target value 122. The controlled variable 124 is outputfrom the pulse controlled-variable calculating means 33. The controlledvariable 124 of the number of pulses is expressed by a decimal fractionnot less than 0 nor more than 1. The controlled variable 124 reduces thenumber of pulses to be retained in the multiplication with the data 111of the number of pulses to be retained which is performed by themultiplying means 12. Therefore, the controlled variable 124 correspondsto the quantity of electric current which must be limited with which theelectric current is limited by a larger degree in proportion as thecontrolled variable 124 is reduced. When the value of the controlledvariable 124 of the number of pulses is small, the number of pulses tobe retained is reduced by the multiplying means 12. Thus, the number oflight emission times from the panel is reduced, and the displayingcurrent which flows in the panel is limited.

[0011] The conventional current limiting circuit adapted to the plasmadisplay encounters time delay when the pseudo quantity 131 of light tobe emitted is smoothed by the smoothing means 32 as shown in FIG. 15.FIG. 18 shows time transition of the pseudo quantity 131 of light to beemitted which takes place in the conventional circuit. As shown in FIG.18, the pseudo quantity 131 of light to be emitted is obtained insub-field units. Even if a still image is being displayed, the quantityof light to be emitted from adjacent sub-fields is discontinuous.Therefore, the smoothing process must be performed by the smoothingmeans 32. If the smoothing process is simply performed by a low-passfilter, the smoothing process, however, inhibits measurement of thequantity of light to be emitted in field units. As a result, time delaytakes place. Even if the quantities of light to be emitted areintegrated in field units as shown in FIG. 18, the quantity of light tobe emitted cannot be extracted only after the integration of thequantity of light to be emitted is completed and movement to a nextfield is performed. Thus, time delay of one field takes place inperforming the control. If the control is delayed as described above, anexcessively large current flows in a case where the quantity of light tobe emitted is rapidly enlarged. In this case, a power supply circuithaving a large capacity is required. Thus, there arise a problem in thatthe cost is enlarged and the weight cannot be reduced.

[0012] Since limitation of the electric current results in thebrightness varying, the visual characteristic must be considered. Forexample, overshooting and slight variation of the controlled variableresults in flickers being recognized. Therefore, the current limitingcircuit for the plasma display must have high response speed and mustavoid variations occurring attributable to noise. The responsecharacteristic of a current control system of the conventional structuredepends on a filter characteristic of the smoothing means 32. If thesmoothing means 32 comprises a simple low-pass filter, raising of theresponse speed causes a problem to arise in that flickers take place.The flickers take place because of an influence of variations of thepseudo quantity 131 of light to be emitted in each sub-field and aninfluence of variation in the waveform of the pseudo quantity 131 oflight to be emitted occurring as time elapses attributable to movementof a figure of the bits to the right or left. Another problem arises inthat vary in setting of the filter requires a great labor. Even if thequantity of light to be emitted is integrated in field units, the timedelay of the process encounters mismatch between the quantity of lightto be emitted and the controlled variable. Thus, there arises a problemin that flickers take place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] To achieve the problems experienced with the conventional displayapparatus, an object of the present invention is to provide a displayapparatus having a current limiting means which is capable of raisingthe response speed of current limitation while preventing an influenceon the visual characteristic.

[0014] A display apparatus according to the present invention isattempted to limit electric currents without any response delay by astructure comprising a current limiting means for obtaining a quantityof an electric current which must be limited by using time delayoccurring because the video signals are temporarily stored in thestorage means, the current limiting means being arranged to obtain, in aperiod of time after the video signal is stored to reading anddisplaying the video signal, the quantity of the electric current whichmust be limited in accordance with video signals obtained from the videosignals before the video signals are stored in the storage means.

[0015] A current limiting means is provided which does not use theproduct of the number of cells from which light is emitted and thenumber of light emission times from the cells as the index of thequantity of light to be emitted, the current limiting means beingarranged to use an average value of video signals.

[0016] A current limiting means is provided which performs a smoothingprocess which is not a simple smoothing process using a low pass filterto which the pseudo quantity of light to be emitted is subjected. Thesmoothing process is performed by using an average value of videosignals obtained in field units.

[0017] A current limiting means is provided which obtains the quantityof electric current which must be limited by performing a calculation inaccordance with an average value of video signals and a predeterminedtarget value.

[0018] A current limiting means is provided which obtains the quantityof electric current which must be limited by performing a calculationusing a proportionality term and an integration term.

[0019] A current limiting means is provided which obtains the quantityof electric current which must be limited by performing a calculationusing a proportionality term, an integration term and a differentiationterm.

[0020] Moreover, a non-response region is provided for the quantity ofthe electric current which must be limited.

[0021] In addition, a hysteresis characteristic is provided for thequantity of the electric current which must be limited.

[0022] A non-response region and a hysteresis characteristic areprovided for the quantity of the electric current which must be limited.

[0023] To limit electric currents without any response delay, a currentlimiting means is provided which obtains a quantity of an electriccurrent which must be limited by using time delay occurring because thevideo signals are temporarily stored in the storage means, the currentlimiting means being arranged to obtain, in a period of time after thevideo signal is stored to reading and displaying the video signal, thequantity of the electric current which must be limited by dividing aframe into a plurality of blocks and by obtaining local contrast in theframe by obtaining an average value of brightness levels of the videosignals in the block in accordance with a predetermined reference valueand the local contrast.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a display apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a graph showing a average brightness output signal inthe display apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrol-variable calculating means of the display apparatus according tothe first embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a means for calculating aproportionality term of the display apparatus according to the firstembodiment.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrol-variable calculating means of a display apparatus according to asecond embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a means for calculating an integrationterm of the display apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of a display apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a means for calculating adifferentiation term of the display apparatus according to the thirdembodiment.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrol-variable calculating means of a display apparatus according to afourth embodiment.

[0033]FIG. 10 is a graph showing variation in a deviation in a displayapparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 11 is a graph showing variation in a deviation in a displayapparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a display apparatusaccording to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method of dividing a frame of thedisplay apparatus according to the seventh embodiment into a pluralityof blocks.

[0037]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing adjacent blocks which are usedwhen a local contrast in the display apparatus according to the seventhembodiment is obtained.

[0038]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the structure of a conventionaldisplay apparatus.

[0039]FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of a storage means ofthe conventional display apparatus.

[0040]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrolled-variable calculating means of the conventional displayapparatus.

[0041]FIG. 18 is a graph showing a quantity of pseudo light emission inthe pulse controlled-variable calculating means of the conventionaldisplay apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is arranged to obtain a quantity of an electric current whichmust be limited in a period from temporal storage of video signals toreading and display the video signals. The quantity is obtained inaccordance with an average value of brightness levels of video signals,which have been obtained from the video signals obtained before thevideo signals are stored in the storage means, and a predeterminedreference value. Therefore, the operation for limiting electric currentscan be performed without any response delay.

[0043] The quantity of electric currents which must be limited isobtained by performing a calculation using a proportionality term and anintegration term in accordance with the average value of brightnesslevels of video signals and the predetermined reference value.Therefore, a greater degree of freedom is obtained when the controlledvariable and the response speed are varied.

[0044] The quantity of electric currents which must be limited isobtained by performing a calculation using a proportionality term, anintegration term and a differentiation term, a greater degree of freedomcan be obtained when the response characteristic is varied.

[0045] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasthe gap characteristic, flickers of the frame occurring due to noise andslight erratic motion of the image can be prevented even if the responsespeed is raised.

[0046] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasthe hysteresis characteristic, a stationary deviation can be preventedand flickers of the frame occurring attributable to noise and slighterratic motion of the image can be prevented.

[0047] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasboth of the gap characteristic and the hysteresis characteristic, agreat degree of freedom can be obtained in performed turning. Even ifthe response speed is raised, flickers of the frame occurringattributable to noise and slight erratic motion of the image canfurthermore effectively be prevented.

[0048] Moreover, the frame is divided into a plurality of blocks and theaverage value of the brightness levels of video signals in the block isobtained. Thus, the local contrast in the frame is obtained and thelocal contrast is used as a representative value of the video signals.Therefore, the control of the electric current can be performed in sucha manner that partial distortion of the panel attributable heat can beprevented.

[0049] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described insuch a manner that a plasma display is taken as an example.

[0050] (First Embodiment)

[0051]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an essential portion of thestructure of a display apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 representsan A/D conversion means for video signals, 2 represents a video-signalprocessing means, 3 represents a storage means, 4 represents a displaysequence control means, 5 represents a panel of the plasma display, 11represents a means for generating the number of pulses to be retainedand 12 represents a multiplying means. Reference numeral 21 representsan average-brightness extracting means for obtaining an average value ofbrightness levels of video signals in field units. Reference numeral 22represents a pulse control-variable calculating means for limitingelectric currents.

[0052] The operation will now be described. The operation which isperformed until an image is displayed and the operation which isperformed until the number of retained pulses for generating retaineddischarge to cause the panel to emit light is determined are the same asthose of the conventional example. Therefore, the same operations areomitted from description. Only the operation for limiting electriccurrents will now be described. The average-brightness extracting means21 adds video signal data 103 output from the video-signal processingmeans 2 to one another for one field. Then, the average-brightnessextracting means 21 performs subtraction of the number of data itemsobtained by adding and a maximum value of the average value so as tocalculate average brightness 121 in one field. Therefore, the range ofthe average brightness 121 is normalized to a range from 0 to 1 which isexpressed as the average brightness. Even a value obtained by addingvideo signals can be made to be the same by performing normalization.FIG. 2 shows time transition of the average brightness 121. The averagebrightness 121 corresponds to the smoothed pseudo quantity 132 of lightto be emitted according to the conventional structure. The averagebrightness 121 is used as an index of an actual quantity of light to beemitted from a panel. Note that the pseudo quantity 132 of light to beemitted according to the conventional structure has time delay. On theother hand, the average brightness 121, which is extracted in front ofthe storage means, enables the calculation of the average value to beperformed during an operation for writing data on the storage means.Therefore, time delay does not take place. Thus, a response is madeafter display is performed one time with the conventional structure.With the first embodiment, the electric current is limited with displaydata when display is performed. The pulse control-variable calculatingmeans 22, which will be described later, uses the average brightness 121and a target value 122 of the quantity of electric currents which mustbe limited to calculate and output a controlled variable 124 of thenumber of pulses. Reference numeral 123 represents a responsecharacteristic parameter which enables a parameter of the responsecharacteristic of the pulse control-variable calculating means 22 to becontrolled from outside to facilitate variation in the responsecharacteristic. The controlled variable 124 of the number of pulses is,similarly to that according to the conventional structure, expressed bya decimal fraction not less than 0 nor more than 1. Therefore, thecontrolled variable 124 causes the number of pulses to be retained to bereduced when the multiplying means 12 performs multiplication with thedata 111 of the number of pulses to be retained. Therefore, thecontrolled variable 124 corresponds to the quantity of electric currentswhich must be limited with which the electric current is limited inproportion as the controlled variable 124 is reduced. If the value ofthe controlled variable 124 is small, the multiplying means 12 reducesthe number of retained pulses. Thus, the number of light emission timesfrom the panel is reduced, and the electric current which flows in thepanel is limited.

[0053] The operation of the pulse control-variable calculating means 22will furthermore be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is adiagram showing the structure of the pulse control-variable calculatingmeans 22 of the display apparatus according to the first embodiment.Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 51 represents a multiplyingmeans, 52 represents a deviation detection means, 54 represents aproportionality-term calculating means, 57 represents a addition means,58 represents a limiter and 59 represents a delay means for delaying onefield period.

[0054] The operation will now be described. The multiplying means 51calculates a product of the average value 121 of the brightness levelsof video signals and a controlled variable 152 of the number of pulsesdelayed by one field period. Then, the multiplying means 51 outputs apredicted value 153 of average brightness after the current control ofthe number of pulses is performed. The deviation detection means 52calculates a deviation of the predicted value 153 from a predeterminedtarget value 122 to output a deviation 155. The proportionality-termcalculating means 54, as shown in FIG. 4, calculates the product of thedeviation 155 and a proportionality-term constant 162 included in theresponse characteristic parameter 123 to output proportionality-termdata 157. The addition means 57 adds proportionality-term data 157 andthe controlled variable 152 of the number of pulses delayed by one fieldperiod to output a controlled variable 160 of the number of pulses. Thelimiter 58 subjects the controlled variable 160 of the number of pulsesoutput from the addition means 57 to a limiter to output the controlledvariable 124 in a predetermined range. The limiter 58 limits the maximumvalue of the controlled variable 124 of the number of pulses to 1 sothat overshooting is prevented regardless of the set responsecharacteristic. That is, the electric current can be limited in such amanner that data 112 of the number of pulses to be retained after theelectric current is limited does not exceed data 111 of the number ofpulses to be retained generated by the means 11 for generating thenumber of pulses, to be retained shown in FIG. 1. The delay means 59delays the controlled variable 124 of the number of pulses by one fieldto enable the controlled variable 124 of the number of pulses to be usedin a calculation of a next field.

[0055] The structure of the pulse control-variable calculating means 22shown in FIG. 3 must finally perform subtraction with the average value121 of the brightness levels to accurately perform the calculation. Toomit a process of subtracting with the average value 121 of thebrightness levels which are variables, all of the values of the averagevalue 121 of the brightness levels, the target value 122 of the same andthe controlled variables 152, 160 and 124 of the number of pulses arenormalized to 0 to 1. Thus, a subtracting means is omitted. When theforegoing process is realized by hardware in a case where the originalmaximum value is an exponent of 2-1, the bit shift for normalization canbe completed by simply changing the portion to which the wiring isconnected. Therefore, the size of the circuit is not substantiallyenlarged. As a result, a portion of the circuit required to perform thesubtraction calculation can be saved.

[0056] If the controlled variable is normalized and the subtractingmeans is omitted, the approximation can be established only when theaverage value 121 of the brightness levels is 1. In the other cases, thecontrolled variable is undesirably reduced in proportion as the averagevalue 121 of the brightness levels is reduced. An influence of theapproximation specifically results in deterioration of the responsecharacteristic when a bright image is varied to a dark image. However, arelatively satisfactory response can be obtained when the controlledvariable 124 of the number of pulses must be reduced. Therefore, themain purpose of the circuit for limiting the electric current can beachieved.

[0057] That is, as a sub-effect of reducing the circuit, a linearcharacteristic effect can be obtained in that the electric current isimmediately reduced when the quantity of the electric current isrequired to be reduced and the electric current is slowly enlarged whenthe quantity of the electric current is restored to the originalquantity.

[0058] The first embodiment is arranged to have the current limitingmeans for obtaining a quantity of an electric current which must belimited by using time delay occurring because the video signals aretemporarily stored in the storage means, the current limiting meansbeing arranged to obtain, in a period of time after the video signal isstored to reading and displaying the video signal, the quantity of theelectric current which must be limited in accordance with video signalsobtained from the video signals before the video signals are stored inthe storage means. As a result, the limitation of the electric currentcan be performed without any response delay. The mismatch of thequantity of light to be emitted and the controlled variable can beprevented. Thus, appearance of flickers occurring because the currentlimiting circuit can be prevented. Even if the quantity of light isenlarged rapidly, flowing of an excessively large electric current canbe prevented.

[0059] The smoothing process is not a simple smoothing process using alow pass filter to which the pseudo quantity of light to be emitted issubjected. The smoothing process is performed by using an average valueof video signals obtained in field units. Therefore, the response speedcan be raised and unnecessary response occurring attributable to thesub-field can be prevented.

[0060] (Second Embodiment)

[0061]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a pulse control-variable calculatingmeans 22 of a display apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention. Since the structure of the display apparatus issimilar to that according to the first embodiment, the structure isomitted from description. The same reference numerals as those shown inFIG. 3 represent the same or corresponding elements. Hereinafter onlyportions different from those according to the first embodiment will nowbe described. Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 55 represents anintegration-term calculating means 55, and 57 represents an additionmeans.

[0062] The operation will now be described. The integration-termcalculating means 55, as shown in FIG. 6, calculates the product of thedeviation 155 and a integration-term constant 163 included in theresponse characteristic parameter 123 shown in FIG. 1, and then performsintegration to output integration-term data 158. The addition means 57adds proportionality-term data 157, integration-term data 158 and thecontrolled variable 152 of the number of pulses delayed by one fieldperiod to one another to output a controlled variable 160 of the numberof pulses.

[0063] The second embodiment is arranged in such a manner that theproportionality term and the integration term are individually processedso that the parameter is easily finely set as compared with the firstembodiment. Thus, the response characteristic of the current limitingcircuit can finely be varied to be adaptable to the type of the videosignal by changing the parameter. As a result, flickers occurringattributable to provision of the current limiting circuit canfurthermore effectively be reduced.

[0064] (Third Embodiment)

[0065]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrol-variable calculating means 22 of a display apparatus accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure ofthe display apparatus is similar to that according to the secondembodiment, the structure is omitted from description. The samereference numerals as those shown in FIG. .5 represent the same orcorresponding elements. Hereinafter only portions different from thoseaccording to the second embodiment will now be described. Referring toFIG. 7, reference numeral 56 represents a differentiation-termcalculating means, and 57 represents an addition means.

[0066] The operation will now be described. The differentiation-termcalculating means 56, as shown in FIG. 8, calculates the product of thedeviation 155 and a differentiation-term constant 164 included in theresponse characteristic parameter 123 shown in FIG. 1. Then, thedifferentiation-term calculating means 56 performs differentiation withdata at a position forward by one field to output differentiation-termdata 159. The addition means 57 adds proportionality-term data 157,integration-term data 158, differentiation-term data 159 and thecontrolled variable 152 of the number of pulses delayed by one field toone another to output a controlled variable 160 of the number of pulses.

[0067] As compared with the second embodiment, the third embodiment hasthe structure that the proportionality term, the integration term andthe differentiation term are used to obtain the quantity of electriccurrents which must be limited. Therefore, a great degree of freedom canbe obtained when the parameter is set. Thus, the response characteristicof the current limiting. circuit can furthermore finely be varied to beadaptable to the type of the video signal. As a result, the effect ofpreventing flickers occurring attributable to provision of the currentlimiting circuit can furthermore be improved.

[0068] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0069]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a pulsecontrol-variable calculating means 22 of a display apparatus accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure ofthe display apparatus is similar to that according to the secondembodiment, the structure is omitted from description. The samereference numerals as those shown in FIG. 5 represent the same orcorresponding elements. Hereinafter only portions different from thoseaccording to the second embodiment will now be described. Referring toFIG. 9, reference numeral 53 represents a non-linear characteristicproviding means, 54 represents the proportionality-term calculatingmeans and 55 represents the integration-term calculating means.

[0070] The operation will now be described. The non-linearcharacteristic providing means 53 receives the deviation 155 to output adeviation 156 obtained by adding a gap operation on the basis of anillustrated non-linear characteristic curve. The proportionality-termcalculating means 54 outputs proportionality-term data 157 from thedeviation 156 similarly to the method according to the secondembodiment. Also the integration-term calculating means 55 outputsintegration-term data 158 from the deviation 156 similarly to the methodaccording to the second embodiment.

[0071] Setting of the gap operation which is performed by the non-linearcharacteristic providing means 53 can be varied by changing the value ofbreak point G in an illustrated graph. Since a range from −G to +G forthe deviation 155 is a non-response region, 0 is output. As a result,flickers of the frame occurring due to noise and slight erratic motionof the image can be prevented even if the response speed is raised.

[0072] The fourth embodiment is described about the structure in whichthe gap operation is added to the structure according to the secondembodiment. The non-linear characteristic providing means 53 may beprovided for the pulse control-variable calculating means 22 (see FIG.3) according to the first embodiment and the pulse control-variablecalculating means 22 (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodiment.Also the foregoing structure attains an effect similar to thatobtainable from this embodiment.

[0073] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0074]FIG. 10 is a graph showing variation in the deviation of thenon-linear characteristic providing means 53 of the pulsecontrol-variable calculating means 22 of a display apparatus accordingto a fifth embodiment. Since the structures of the display apparatus andthe pulse control-variable calculating means 22 of the display apparatusare similar to those according to the fourth embodiment, only differentportions from the fourth embodiment will now be described. The axis ofabscissa of the graph stands for the deviation 155 which is shown inFIG. 9 and which is an input to the non-linear characteristic providingmeans 53, while the axis of ordinate stands for the deviation 156 whichis an output from the non-linear characteristic providing means 53 andwhich is shown in FIG. 9.

[0075] The operation will now be described. In this embodiment, thenon-linear characteristic providing means 53 shown in FIG. 9 has thecharacteristic shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the non-linear characteristicproviding means 53 receives the deviation 155 to add a hysteresisoperation to output the deviation 156.

[0076] The hysteresis operation is performed in a direction indicated byan arrow shown in FIG. 10. Setting of the hysteresis operation regioncan be varied by shifting H shown in the graph. If the deviation 155 isincluded in a range from −H to +H, 0 is output similarly to the gapoperation because the foregoing region is a non-response region. Whenthe deviation 155 is temporarily moved to the outside of the region −Hto +H and then returned into the region −H to +H, a linear operation isperformed. As a result, the deviation can be reset when the deviation isreturned into the non-response region. Thus, a stationary deviationoccurring when the gap operation is performed can be prevented.

[0077] Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the non-linear characteristicproviding means 53 may be applied to the first embodiment or the thirdembodiment.

[0078] (Sixth Embodiment)

[0079]FIG. 11 is a graph showing variation in the deviation of thenon-linear characteristic providing means 53 of the pulsecontrol-variable calculating means 22 of a display apparatus accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The structures of thedisplay apparatus and the pulse control-variable calculating means 22 ofthe display apparatus are similar to those according to the fourthembodiment. Therefore, only portions different from the fourthembodiment will now be described. In the graph, the axis of abscissastands for the deviation 155 which is an input to the non-linearcharacteristic providing means 53 and which is shown in FIG. 9 and axisof ordinate stands for the deviation 156 which is an output from thenon-linear characteristic providing means 53 and which is shown in FIG.9.

[0080] The operation will now be described. In the sixth embodiment, thenon-linear characteristic providing means 53 shown in FIG. 9 has thecharacteristic shown in FIG. 11. Thus, the non-linear characteristicproviding means 53 receives the deviation 155, and then adds the gap andhysteresis operations to output the deviation 156.

[0081] The hysteresis operation is performed in a direction indicated byan arrow shown in FIG. 11. Setting of the gap operation region can bevaried by shifting the position of G shown in the graph. Setting of thehysteresis operation region can be varied by shifting the position of Hshown in the graph. When the deviation 155 is in a range from −G to +G,a gap characteristic is indicated. When the deviation 155 is in a rangefrom −H to −G and in a range from +G to +H, a hysteresis characteristicis indicated.

[0082] Since this embodiment is structured to have both gapcharacteristic and the hysteresis characteristic, a great degree offreedom can be obtained in tuning as compared with a structure providedwith only the gap characteristic or only the hysteresis characteristic.Thus, flickers of the frame occurring due to noise and slight erraticmotion of the image can be prevented even if the response speed israised.

[0083] Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the non-linear characteristicproviding means 53 may be applied to the first embodiment or the thirdembodiment.

[0084] (Seventh Embodiment)

[0085]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of an essentialportion of a display apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. Reference numerals which are the same as those shownin FIG. 1 represent the same or corresponding elements. Only portionsdifferent from those according to the first embodiment will now bedescribed. Referring to FIG. 12, reference numeral 23 represents a localcontrast extracting means.

[0086] In accordance with video-signal data 103 output from thevideo-signal processing means 2, the local contrast extracting means 23extracts local contrast 125 for one field. The local contrast 125 isdata normalized to 0 to 1 and calculated in field units. The localcontrast 125 is supplied to the pulse control-variable calculating means22 so as to be used as a condition under which the electric current islimited, similarly to the average value of the brightness levelsaccording to the first to sixth embodiments. When the level of the localcontrast 125 is high, the number of pulses is reduced to limit theelectric current.

[0087] A method of deriving the local contrast 125 will furthermore bedescribed with- reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a diagramshowing a method of dividing the frame of the display apparatusaccording to the seventh embodiment into a plurality of blocks. FIG. 14is a diagram showing adjacent blocks which are used when the localcontrast of the display apparatus according to the seventh embodiment isobtained. Referring to FIG. 13, the overall portion indicate one displayframe, in which m is the number of blocks in the vertical direction, nis the number of blocks in the horizontal direction and Yij (1≦i≦m,1≦j≦n) is an average value of brightness levels of video signals in ablock which is an i-th position counted from an upper position and aj-th position counted from the left-hand position. FIG. 14 is a diagramshowing three extracted blocks which are a portion of the blocks shownin FIG. 13.

[0088] The operation will now be described. In one field period, thelocal contrast extracting means 23 calculates an average value ofbrightness levels of video signals in each of m×n blocks shown in FIG.13. An assumption is made that an average value in a block at the i-thposition counted from an upper position and the j-th position countedfrom a left-hand position is calculated. Then, with reference to FIG.14, the following calculation is performed:

Cij=¦¦Yij−Yi−1,j¦¦+¦¦Yij−Yi,j−1¦¦

[0089] Note that ¦¦ indicates an absolute value. When i=1 or j=1, a termwhich is not calculated appears. Calculation as Σ Cij is performed forthe overall frame, and then normalization to 0 to 1 is performed. Thus,the local contrast 125 can be obtained.

[0090] The seventh embodiment has the structure that the frame isdivided into a plurality blocks, after which the average value of thebrightness levels of the video signals in the block is obtained so thatthe local contrast in the frame is obtained, and then the local contrastis used as a representative value of the video signals to perform thecalculation of the controlled variable of pulses. Therefore, distortionoccurring attributable to heat caused from partial light emission of thepanel can be prevented and power consumption can be reduced.

[0091] Since the present invention is structured as described above, thefollowing effects can be obtained.

[0092] A display apparatus having a characteristic that powerconsumption therein is varied when brightness of a displayed image isvaried and arranged in such a manner that a video signal is temporarilystored on storage means and the video signal is read from the storagemeans to display thereon comprises the current limiting means forobtaining a quantity of an electric current which must be limited in aperiod of time after the video signal is temporarily stored to readingand displaying the video signal, the current limiting means beingarranged to obtain the quantity of the electric current which must belimited in accordance with video signals obtained before the videosignals are stored in the storage means. As a result, the limitation ofthe electric current can be performed without any response delay. Themismatch of the quantity of light to be emitted and the controlledvariable can be prevented. Thus, appearance of flickers occurringbecause the current limiting circuit can be prevented. Even if thequantity of light is enlarged rapidly, flowing of an excessively largeelectric current can be prevented.

[0093] As the index of the quantity of light to be emitted, the productof the number of cells from which light is emitted and the number oflight emission times from the cells is not used. As an alternative tothis, the average value of video signals is used. Thus, the quantity ofelectric currents which must be limited can be obtained from videosignals obtained before they are stored in the storage means.

[0094] The smoothing process is not a simple smoothing process using alow pass filter to which the pseudo quantity of light to be emitted issubjected. The smoothing process is performed by using an average valueof video signals obtained in field units. Therefore, the response speedcan be raised and unnecessary response occurring attributable to thesub-field can be prevented.

[0095] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited iscalculated by using an average value of the brightness levels of videosignals, the control of the electric current can be performed with thecharacteristic preferred for the response characteristic of the eyes ofa human being. Therefore, brightness can be controlled in a manner easyon the eyes of a human being and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0096] Since the proportionality term, the integration term and thedifferentiation term are individually processed, setting of parameterscan be facilitated. The response characteristic of the current limitingmeans can be varied only by changing the parameter. Thus, flickersoccurring attributable to provision of the current limiting circuit canbe prevented.

[0097] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasthe gap characteristic, flickers of the frame occurring due to noise andslight erratic motion of the image can be prevented even if the responsespeed is raised.

[0098] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasthe hysteresis characteristic, a stationary deviation can be preventedand flickers of the frame occurring attributable to noise and slighterratic motion of the image can be prevented.

[0099] Since the quantity of electric currents which must be limited hasboth of the gap characteristic and the hysteresis characteristic, agreat degree of freedom can be obtained in performed turning. Flickersof the frame occurring attributable to noise and slight erratic motionof the image can furthermore effectively be prevented.

[0100] Moreover, the frame is divided into a plurality of blocks and theaverage value of the brightness levels of video signals in the block isobtained. Thus, the local contrast in the frame is obtained and thequantity of electric currents which must be limited is calculated inaccordance with the local contrast. Therefore, partial distortion of thepanel attributable to heat can be prevented and power consumption can bereduced. In particular, an effect of protecting a panel can be obtainedin a case of a plasma display in which ineffective energy is formed intoheat which is concentrated to a glass substrate of the panel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus having a characteristic thatpower consumption therein varies in accordance with variation ofbrightness of a displayed image and arranged in such a manner that avideo signal is temporarily stored on storage means and the video signalis read out of said storage means to be displayed thereon, said displayapparatus comprising: current limiting means for obtaining a quantity ofa limited electric current in a period of time between the video signalis temporarily stored on said storage means and the video signal is readout of said storage means to be displayed thereon, said current limitingmeans being arranged to obtain the quantity of the limited electriccurrent in accordance with an average value of brightness levels of thevideo signals obtained from the video signals before the video signalsare stored in said storage means and a predetermined reference value. 2.The display. apparatus of claim 1, wherein said current limiting meansis provided which obtains a quantity of a limited electric current bycalculating with a proportionality term and an integration term on thebasis of an average value of brightness levels of video signals and apredetermined reference value.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein said current limiting means is provided which obtains a quantityof a limited electric current by calculating with a proportionalityterm, an integration term, and a differentiation term on the basis of anaverage value of brightness levels of video signals and a predeterminedreference value.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein anon-response region is provided for the quantity of the limited electriccurrent.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein a non-responseregion is provided for the quantity of the limited electric current. 6.The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein a hysteresis characteristic isprovided for the quantity of the limited electric current.
 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 3, wherein a hysteresis characteristic isprovided for the quantity of the limited electric current.
 8. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 2, wherein a non-response region and ahysteresis characteristic are provided for the quantity of the limitedelectric current.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein anon-response region-and a hysteresis characteristic are provided for thequantity of the limited electric current.
 10. A display apparatus havinga characteristic that power consumption therein varies in accordancewith variation of brightness of a displayed image and arranged in such amanner that a video signal is temporarily stored on storage means andthe video signal is read out of said storage means to be displayedthereon, said display apparatus comprising: current limiting means forobtaining a quantity of a limited electric current in a period of timebetween the video signal is temporarily stored on said storage means andthe video signal is read out of to be displayed thereon, said currentlimiting means being arranged to divide a frame into a plurality blocks,obtain an average value of brightness levels of video signals in theblock, and obtain local contrast in the frame so as to obtain thequantity of the limited electric current on the basis of a predeterminedreference value and the local contrast.